The Mopho is a compact and powerful monophonic analog synthesizer from Dave Smith Instruments. The voice architecture is identical to a single voice of the Prophet '08, an eight-voice synthesizer with a 100% analog signal path, yet with a couple of unique twists to distinguish it from its award-winning sibling. Dave Smith Instruments have added two sub-octave generators-one per oscillator-for additional girth and crushing basses. It also has an audio input that lets you process external audio and mix Mopho's own audio output back in pre-filter for feedback effects that can range from subtle distortion to extreme skronk. The "Push It!" button is a manual trigger that lets you play a specific note or latch notes and sequences on. The Mopho Monophonic Synthesizer can also step through a sequence to play short melodic lines without a keyboard. Mopho can also be used with a MIDI controller or external sequencer.

Mopho is fully programmable and all the parameters can be tweaked from the front panel. The four Assignable Parameters controls are assignable per program for optimal performance control. A free editor is available for Mac OS and Windows to facilitate programming. If you already have a Prophet '08, most of Mopho's parameters can be controlled from the Prophet's front panel via MIDI.

Mopho is perfect for people who want to learn the ins and outs of real analog synthesis without spending a bundle, DJs looking to add some old-school sonic spice to their setups, and musicians who will appreciate a great-sounding, very portable mono synth.

I'm a wind player that purchased this for use with a MIDI Wind controller (the Yamaha WX5). My needs are quite different from what I expect is the typical target market. This was my first synth, and I had no prior synth programming background.

After a year of owning this I can definitely say this is a well built unit, both in build quality and sound possibilities. Because I use it with my wind controller, my primary sounds are sustained lead or bass tones - I don't use the sequencer at all. For my purposes it's very responsive to the wind controller when the patch is well made, and the sound palette is what you would expect from a two voice analog synth, with lots of tonal possibilities depending on how good you are at programming. I have no real frame of reference for what other analog synths sound like except from the music I've listened to, so I can't talk too much about the particular qualities of the basic sounds possible. It's definitely easy enough to get HUGE lead and bass sounds out of this thing though.

What I am very glad for - and I had no way of knowing this going in - is the ample number of modulation sources and four assignable LFOs. For me, I need to assign Midi Breath to at least two parameters per patch, so I take full advantage of the modular nature of the assignable mod sources. Because Midi Breath already has a dedicated mod source as well, I can assign it to five parameters if I really wanted. Having so many LFOs, I guess 4 is a lot on most mono synths, gives me more options in how the sound changes over time, which for me is very useful. After looking at other analog synth units since getting to know this one, I can say that this is a perfect analog companion to wind controller and EWI users.

The only gripe one might have is that it's nearly impossible to program this unit from the unit itself. You pretty much have to use the computer software with USB-Midi cables. This is fine I think, as there are so many slots for patches if you spend some time getting patches ready you shouldn't need to edit much on the spot, but you can control some parameters on the fly if you need. I've also noticed that a lot of synth players like to manipulate knobs of the synth while playing the keyboard to a greater extent than this unit would really let you. You can't play this unit the same way you can play a Moog Minotaur, for example, the knobs just aren't that responsive. But it's not really intended to be that way I don't think. For me, I always have to have two hands on my instrument, so it's a total moot point. I set it to the patch I want and leave the unit alone.

yes.I've had the Mopho in my working rig firing off of a pitch to midi interface. This synth really is killer; from the software editor to the fat, FAT sounds of the Smith analog oscillators, this pup really is a super deluxe value.I think DSI is a great company. Buy their stuff, you won't be dissapointed. I also own an Evolver.

I am surprised that I am the 1st to review the Mopho given that I?m a guitarist. I received mine last week and went about listening to all 384 programs and twiddling the knobs. The sounds are utterly amazing from classic leads, basses, sequences, to just plain noise. Wonderful phat & wet analog heaven!The price of the Mopho along with an Axiom 25, MIDI cable, and power supply nets you an analog synth for almost half the price of the ?Little Phatty?. I could not be more thrilled!